Today: Female Veteran Suicides. Extremist Apps?

Hello. I'm Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. Government research finds that female veterans commit suicide at an alarming rate, and the FBI worries that new cellphone apps are aiding terrorists. Here are some story lines I don't want you to miss today.

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Female Veteran Suicides

Female veterans commit suicide at nearly six times the rate of other women, new government research shows. It approaches the rate of male veterans. That's alarming because, in general, men are far more likely to kill themselves. Also alarming: Nobody is sure why. It might have more to do with who joins the military than with what they experience while serving.

Extremist Apps?

In all the to-do about federal collection of Americans' phone data, a new surveillance worry is barely mentioned: smartphone apps that encrypt or destroy messages. The FBI suspects Islamic State uses them to secretly recruit terrorists, and it wants authority to tap the apps. No way, say Apple and other providers, citing 1st Amendment rights. It'll be another fight in Congress.

At Sherwood Country Club, Jack Nicklaus plans a renovation with less grass and harder choices (read: bunkers) for golfers. At Dodger Stadium, underground tech cuts back sprinkler times. UCLA replaces grass with synthetic turf at an athletic field. The Rose Bowl retrofits restrooms with 200 waterless urinals. Sports uses a lot of water. Read how it's trying to use less.

A Bumpy Ride

Cyclists who think they have it rough in L.A. should consider Zahra Hussaini. She rides in rural Bamian, Afghanistan. Besides having to negotiate treacherous roads, she risks the ire of mullahs who see an "infidel practice." That hasn't slowed her down. She trained women for the national team -- yes, Afghanistan has one -- and now even some men approach her for lessons.

Designs for Disaster

They must drive vehicles, drill holes, turn valves, fight through debris and, perhaps most important, not fall down. Some look like humans, but these are robots. They might rescue you in a disaster someday. First, they'll have to survive a devious obstacle course. Top prize: $2 million. Competitors included engineers at UCLA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratories. See how they fared.

CALIFORNIA

-- With state charges driving routine traffic tickets to nearly $500, a state court is expected to make them easier to challenge.

-- "Fun Home" won best musical, the top honor, at the Tonys on Sunday in a category that was especially rich and diverse this year. "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" won top play. Find a full list of winners here.

It's not something you see every day: Lawyers apologizing for lawsuits. That's what has happened in the case of former child actor Michael Egan. He alleged he was sexually abused by local TV execs and sued them, making national headlines. Now, not only are the lawyers saying they are sorry about "proveably false allegations," they're paying a seven-figure settlement.